General Forums >> Ask A Career Woman >> Telephone Interviews: Instant Failure?
Telephone Interviews: Instant Failure?
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Posted about 1 year ago Okay so I've been blessed enough to have scored an interview Monday for a really important internship at a media company, the only problem is that I just so happened to be leaving for California for a two week mission that day. So I asked for a telephone interview (which I've never done before) and the interviewer said it was fine. I told my guy friend about it and he frowned. "Ooh... phone interviews?? hmmm... That'll be hard." I don't have a choice. I want this internship so badly and even though phone calls aren't that personable, I want to know if there's anything I can do to make it personable. I won't be able to get a good idea of how the interviewer feels about me because I can't see their expressions, but what can I do to insure that they get as much of me as possible without sounding like an idiot over the phone?
Also, are phone interviews really such a bad thing... people do it all of the time don't they? |
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| Posted about 1 year ago If you don't 'really' want to do a phone interview, can you schedule a face to face interview now, versus in two weeks? I've had a bad experience with phone interviews. Not to say that all interviewers were like these women. On two seperate occasions I've done phone interviews, were pretty much given the position until i walked into the office to fill out the paperwork. I guess when people hear my voice and see my face they get two different impressions. The one lady denied ever speaking to me, the other told me the position had already beed filled. Hopefully you won't experience this out right prejudice I did.
Ms. Antoinette M. Brown I am a divine original fashioned by God to be radiantly beautiful! Accounting professional committed to integrity, professionalism, and support to drive a business toward success. |
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| Posted about 1 year ago Yeah I was thinking about that too. I've been told before that I don't sound my color over the phone. I thought "Hmm, since when did colors have sounds?" I really hope that isn't going to be a problem later on... And I would have asked for an earlier interview but I was only contacted about the internship on Friday and so I had to be quick on me feet and settle for what I could get. Thanks though. :) |
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| Posted about 1 year ago Yeah apparently color has a sound. Anyway, well since you have no other options, and they are allowing the phone interview. Go into the interview with a prayer and a positive attitude. Good luck! Ms. Antoinette M. Brown I am a divine original fashioned by God to be radiantly beautiful! Accounting professional committed to integrity, professionalism, and support to drive a business toward success. |
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| Posted about 1 year ago
I would suggest you treat this like a conversation with someone you already know. Sounds funny because that is the purpose of the interview but it will make you and them feel more comfortable; use their name in the conversation, be proactive in volunteering specific examples of your previous successes. I don’t think it is that different from a face-to-face interview – your job is to sell yourself in either situation.
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| Posted about 1 year ago Janelle, I greatly prefer "in person" meetings. You say that the interview would have occurred the day you left for you "mission." Can you postpone the departure date for the "mission." Or ask if you can schedule a face to face with someone when you return home for your "management training seminar." Depending on the cities, can you fly from California to Nevada for the interview on your own dime? If this is interview is really that important to your career, you'll find a way to have a successful interview--in person or on the phone. You wrote this posting on Sunday and are talking about a Monday interview. I hope you had time to thoroughly research the company, prepare answers to the questions they will inevitably ask, and prepare at least 10 intelligent questions aobut the company and the internship program. I try to get at least 4 days of prep time, when possible. Researching a company takes time. Knock 'em dead! M |
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| Posted about 1 year ago I'm sure you know to cover all of the basics, like learn about the specifics of the company and reference this during the interview. Also, ask them questions. I used about 6 of the questions listed here: http://www.career.vt.edu/Jobsearc/interview/AskQues.htm. I was glad I did, not only bc it impressed the interviewer, but mainly bc it gave me a more specific picture of the company. Why not keep the phone interview, and arrange to have lunch together when you get back in town? That way she can get a good impression of your professional demeanor. *FREE Resume/Cover Ltr Help!!
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| Posted about 1 year ago Sometime it can be good sometime it can be bad. Just remember to not say "ummmm" after every question or not to talk to them with alot of distraction around such as kids running around screaming, during dinner, outside walking down the street, in the car, etc., find a nice little cubby whole up and asked to not be disturbed for ANYTHING! and above all dont talk to them like you would your friends on the phone be professional! |
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| Posted about 1 year ago Janell- in case it already happened, I am sure you were wonderful! The fact that you are trying to accomodate the company's schedule while maintaining your previous commitments is also telling- you have the ability to be both adaptable and follow-through. Plus, you did not want to put this off until you got back showing that you are excited about this opportunity. If the interview has not happened yet good these are all qualities to let them know that you embody! Best wishes! |
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| Posted about 1 year ago Phone interviews can actually be easier than a face to face- they have your resume right in front of them, you can also have your resume right in front of you that focuses on your strengths.
Also, I find it helpful to stand up during phone interviews. Somehow it gives you energy. Also, SMILE!!! You can hear it through the phone! |
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| Posted about 1 year ago UPDATE: Just thought I should let everyone know how my phone interview went. The lady who was supposed to interview me decided to wait until I got back from my trip and met with me in person last Tuesday. Thankfully her deadline to hire got pushed back. How great is that? Hopefully I'll find out if I got the internship within the next couple of days. :D I'm extremely excited! |
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| Posted about 1 year ago Hey Janell: Thanks for updating us! Let us know how it all turns out. Good luck! Daniela
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